Solar pump systems and related methods

ABSTRACT

Various embodiments of a fluid displacement system are disclosed. The system may include a reservoir containing a fluid in a liquid state and a first chamber hydraulically connected to the reservoir to receive the fluid from the reservoir. The first chamber may be configured to receive solar energy and configured to convert the received solar energy to vaporize the fluid. The system may also include a second chamber hydraulically connected to the first chamber to receive the vaporized fluid from the first chamber. The second chamber may be configured to condense the vaporized fluid, causing depressurization in the second chamber. The system may also include a hydraulic connection between the second chamber and a source of fluid to be displaced. The system may be configured such that the depressurization of the second chamber may cause fluid in the source of fluid to be displaced through the hydraulic connection.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to fluid displacement systems adapted tobe driven by solar energy. In particular, the present invention relatesto various fluid displacement devices (e.g., pumps) that utilize solarenergy to, for example, displace a controlled volume of fluid from alower elevation to a higher elevation.

2. Description of Related Art

In many regions of the world (e.g., Africa and Middle East), consumablewater resource is very much limited. On the other hand, these regiontypically enjoys an abundance of solar energy. Therefore, it would behighly beneficial to be able to use the solar energy to pump water fromunderground, to transport water from nearby stream or river, or togenerate electricity.

Unfortunately, however, possibility of utilizing the solar energy as auseable source of energy has been widely ignored in many of theseregions because, at least in part, most of the devices for convertingsolar energy to useable energy are very inefficient and prohibitivelyexpensive.

Various solar power driven mechanical and electrical devices have beenwidely used in the past. Some of these devices use heat-absorbing panelsthat convert the absorbed solar energy to heat water or other suitablefluids. The fluid in these devices is always kept in a sub-cooled liquidstate, well below its boiling point. These devices are typicallyequipped with one or more electrically or mechanically driven pumps toforce fluid circulation within the devices. Generally, these devicesyield very low efficiency mainly due to their generally low thermalgradients. The main purpose of the heat absorbing panels in thesedevices is to absorb solar heat and transfer it to a fluid so as to heatup the fluid. The heated fluid is then circulated by a pumping devicetypically driven by an external source of power, which results indecrease in overall efficiency of the device.

There have been some pumping devices that utilize solar energy as theirpower source. These devices include a solar panel formed of so-called“photovoltaic cells” that convert solar rays into electricity. Theelectricity thus generated in the solar panel is then supplied to anelectric motor of the pumping device (generally positioned underground)to drive the pumping device and pump fluid. Not only is the efficiencyof these systems also very low, the performance of the photovoltaiccells also degrades with the passing of time. To compensate thedegradation, such a system requires a special electronic module thatproperly conditions the system (e.g., voltage and phase of theelectrical output) to ensure that its electric motor functionscorrectly. Such an electronic module, however, is very expensive.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, it is accordingly an object of the present invention toprovide a more efficient and/or less complicated water displacementsystem by directly converting solar energy to drive the system (i.e.,without having to convert the solar energy to generate electricity,which in turn drives the system).

This may be achieved by utilizing one or more highly insulated solarchambers (referred to as “solar tiles”) in which solar energy isabsorbed to heat water (or any other suitable fluid) into vapor.Subsequently, generated vapor may be condensed in a controlled manner soas to generate a controlled pressure depression. The system is arrangedin such a way that this pressure depression may cause displacement of adesired amount of fluid from one location (e.g., a lower elevation) toanother location (e.g., a higher elevation) without utilizing anyexternally driven pumping device.

To attain the advantages and in accordance with the purpose of theinvention, as embodied and broadly described herein, one aspect of theinvention provides a fluid displacement system. The system may include areservoir containing a fluid in a liquid state and a first chamberhydraulically connected to the reservoir to receive the fluid from thereservoir. The first chamber may be configured to receive solar energyand configured to convert the received solar energy to vaporize thefluid. The system may also include a second chamber hydraulicallyconnected to the first chamber to receive the vaporized fluid from thefirst chamber. The second chamber may be configured to condense thevaporized fluid, causing depressurization in the second chamber. Thesystem may also include a hydraulic connection between the secondchamber and a source of fluid to be displaced.

In some exemplary aspects, the system may be configured such that thedepressurization of the second chamber may cause fluid in the source offluid to be displaced through the hydraulic connection.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth inpart in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious fromthe description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Theobjects and advantages of the invention will be realized and attained bymeans of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in theappended claims.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory onlyand are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate several embodiments of theinvention and together with the description, serve to explain theprinciples of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a solar pump system, according toan exemplary embodiment of the invention, illustrating an exemplaryapplication of displacing underground water for agricultural/irrigationpurposes.

FIG. 2 is a schematic of a solar pump system, shown in FIG. 1,illustrating various components thereof.

FIG. 3 is a Temperature-Entropy (T-S) diagram illustrating variousexemplary thermodynamic processes of the solar pump system.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a solar tile, according to an exemplaryembodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 4B, 4C, and 4D are top views of a solar tile, according to variousexemplary embodiments of the invention, illustrating various exemplaryarrangement of spacers.

FIG. 4E is a side cross-sectional view of the solar tile shown in FIG.4A.

FIG. 4F is top and perspective views of a rectangular solar tile,according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4G is top and perspective view of a rectangular solar, according toanother exemplary embodiment of the invention, illustrating a differentoverlapping flap.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are perspective and cross-sectional views of a solartile, according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6A is a schematic illustrating an arrangement of multiple solartiles, hydraulically connected in a series, according to an exemplaryembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6B is a schematic illustration of an arrangement of multiple solartiles, hydraulically connected in parallel, according to anotherexemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6C is a schematic illustration of a pumping system, according toanother exemplary embodiment of the invention, illustrating apossibility of using combustion of any fuel (e.g., wood/coal) as anadditional or alternative energy source.

FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of a pumping system, according stillanother exemplary embodiment of the invention, illustrating apossibility of having multiple solar pump systems stationed in differentelevations for use in, for example, hydro-power production.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiments of theinvention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be usedthroughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

The pumping system, according to an exemplary embodiment of theinvention, utilizes solar heat energy to displace a controlled volume offluid (e.g., liquid), for example, from a lower elevation to a higherelevation. The system converts absorbed solar energy to vaporize (e.g.,to a super-heated thermodynamic state) a working fluid (e.g., water)inside one or more vapor generating chambers (i.e., referred hereinafteras “solar tile”). The system then condenses the vapor, in a rapidcontrolled manner, inside a depression chamber.

Rapid condensation of the vapor may be achieved by injectingvapor-collapsing liquids (e.g., in the form of spray or jets) into thevapor-filled depression chamber. The timing and degree of condensationmay be controlled by adjusting, for example, the injection timing, flowrate, and/or temperature of the vapor-collapsing liquid. As heat andmass transfer occurs between the vapor-collapsing liquid and the vapor,the vapor inside the depression chamber may be rapidly condensed,resulting in a substantial pressure drop. The depression chamber may bedesigned to withstand such a pressure drop. This pressure drop may beused in a variety of applications, including, for example, pumping fluidfrom a lower elevation to a higher elevation.

As is apparent, the pumping system of the present invention may utilizean unusual thermodynamic cycle. For example, while most thermodynamiccycles operate on the principle of fluid expansion to drive turbines orexpanders, thereby converting the expansion energy of the fluid intomechanical energy, the pumping system of the present invention mayoperate based on the opposite principles (i.e., principles of fluidcontraction). Although fluid contraction cycle may be less efficientthan the classical expansion cycle due to its inherent low thermalgradient, such a system may be simpler to manufacture (i.e., therebycost less), may not deteriorate with the passing of time, and/or may notrequire forced fluid circulation.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, FIG. 1schematically illustrates a solar pump system configured to displace avolume of liquid from a lower elevation to a higher elevation. While theinvention will be described in connection with a particular pumpingarrangement (i.e., pumping liquid from a lower elevation to a higherelevation), the invention may be applied to, or used in connection with,any other types of fluid displacement situation, such as, for example,transporting fluid from one place to another. Naturally, it should beunderstood that the invention may be used in various applications otherthan pumping fluids.

As shown in FIG. 1, the solar pump system may comprise a fluid reservoir1 containing the working fluid (e.g., water), one or more solar tiles 2for evaporating the working fluid, the depression chamber 4 for rapidlycondensing the vaporized fluid, and the injector water tank 5 containingcondensing liquid used for condensing the vaporized fluid. Water will beused to describe the exemplary embodiments of the invention,particularly for the application illustrated with reference to FIG. 1.It should be understood, however, that any other fluid having suitablethermodynamic properties may be used alternatively or additionally.

With reference to FIG. 1, the fluid reservoir 1 may use gravity toinject a certain amount of water inside the solar tile 2 where heatingof the water takes place via solar energy absorption indicated byQ_(sun). The water in the solar tile 2 may then be transformed intovapor (e.g., super-heated steam), and the vapor may flow (e.g., vianatural circulation) to the depression chamber 4, where the vapor may beaccumulated. The depression chamber 4 may be designed to sustain asubstantial amount of negative pressure, and may be equipped with one ormore valves (shown in, for example, FIG. 2) to purge substantially allnon-condensable gases present in the depression chamber 4. Once apredetermined amount of vapors are accumulated in the depression chamber4, the injector water tank 5 injects sub-cooled water jet (e.g., viagravity) inside the depression chamber 4, causing an instant pressuredrop inside the depression chamber 4. At this time, the system may resetthe water levels inside the fluid reservoir 1 and the injector watertank 5, and a properly timed valve systems (described with reference toFIG. 2) may be actuated to allow suction of water from a reservoir R,normally situated at a lower elevation (e.g., underground waterreservoir), through a hydraulic connection 6 into the depression chamber4, normally located at a higher elevation. The water 4K suctioned fromthe reservoir R may then be discharged from the depression chamber 4 viaa hydraulic connection 4J to various purposes, such as, for example,agricultural irrigation or hydropower production. In some exemplaryembodiments, the hydraulic connection 6 may include a redirecting member(e.g., T-junction with check valves) such that the water in thereservoir R may bypass the depression chamber 4 and be directlydischarged (e.g. in case the fluid to be pumped is different from theworking fluid inside the depression chamber 4).

With reference to FIG. 2, various operational processes are described indetail. The reservoir 1 may receive water from depression chamber 4 viacondensate line 1E and accumulate therein. Alternatively oradditionally, the reservoir 1 may be connected to an external source ofwater supply. The reservoir 1 may include one or more valves 1Bconfigured to be actuated automatically (or through actuator 1C) basedon the temperature and/or pressure inside the fluid reservoir 1 or thedepression chamber 4.

The reservoir 1 may be hydraulically connected to one or more solartiles 2, either individually or in a group (e.g., in series or inparallel) as will be described further herein. The reservoir 1 may beplaced at an elevation higher than that of the solar tiles 2 (e.g.,Z_(min)) such that the water may be introduced from the reservoir 1 tothe solar tiles 2 via gravity. Alternatively or additionally, the watermay be supplied to the solar tiles 2 by pressurizing the reservoir 1 orby pumping water directly into solar tiles 2. As shown in FIG. 2, inletsof the solar tiles 2 may include flow control valve 2A to control theamount of water being introduced into the solar tiles 2. The valve 2Amay be a thermostat valve that may automatically open and close based onthe temperature and/or pressure inside the solar tiles 2.

The reservoir 1 may be insulated. The water in the reservoir 1 may be atthe atmospheric pressure and temperature. Alternatively, the water maybe heated and/or pressurized. In some exemplary embodiments, the watermay be preheated by using solar heat to speed-up the vaporizationprocess inside the solar tiles 2. For this purpose, the reservoir 1itself may be configured to receive solar energy. For example, at leasta portion of the reservoir 1 may be made of a material that istransparent to solar irradiation, such that the solar rays may heat-upthe inner portion 1A of the reservoir 1. In an exemplary embodiment, theinner portion 1A of the reservoir 1 may be coated with a material havinga relatively high absorptivity and low reflectivity.

As shown in FIGS. 4A through 4E, the solar tile 2 may include aninternal chamber 2C that is configured to utilize the solar energy tovaporize the water contained therein. To enhance the heat absorption, asheet of highly absorbing material 2K may be placed inside the internalchamber 2C, as shown in FIG. 4E. Alternatively, the bottom surface ofthe internal chamber 2C may be coated with a similar material. Thisabsorbing material may act as a solar heat accumulator that releases theheat to the water passing therethrough. The color of the absorbingmaterial 2K may be selected to match the color of the surface S.

Once a predetermined amount of water is introduced into the solar tiles2, the solar irradiation received therein may be transferred to thewater and the water may vaporize. This process may be thermodynamicallyrepresented as process 1→1′→2 in the T-S diagram of FIG. 3. Process1→1′→2 is a heat addition process (e.g. Q_(sun)) moving along theisobaric line P1 in which water transforms from a sub-cooled liquidstate into a superheated state at point 2 on isobar line P1.

At least a portion of the outer surface of the internal chamber 2C maybe surrounded by a suitable insulation, such as, for example, a vacuumjacket. The solar tile 2, including the vacuum jacket, may be made ofmaterials that sufficiently allow penetration of solar radiation.

The solar tile 2 is not limited to a particular dimensional and/orgeometric configuration as long as the solar tile 2 may maintain itsstructural integrity, for example, against any foreseeable pressurevariations. By way of example only, the pressure inside the internalchamber 2C may be above the atmospheric pressure, and the pressure onthe outer surface of the solar tile 2 may be at the atmospheric pressurerange.

In some exemplary embodiment, the vacuum jacket 12 may be formed by ahollow, box-like member 12 a, 12 b surrounding the outer surfaces of theinternal chamber 2C. In some exemplary embodiments, a layer of areflective material 2L (e.g., Aluminum foil) may be placed inside thevacuum jacket 12 (e.g., at the bottom of the vacuum jacket 12), as shownin FIGS. 4D and 4E, to increase the energy transfer effect of the solarrays on the solar tiles 2. Alternatively, the reflective material 2L maybe placed underneath the solar tiles 2 prior to installing the solartiles 2.

The vacuum jacket may include a number of spacers 2D, 2D′, as shown inFIGS. 4B and 4C, disposed between the two largest surfaces of the vacuumjacket 12 to prevent or minimize inward bending of the surfaces causedby its vacuum condition. The spacers 2D may simply be pins appropriatelyarranged to distribute the load upon the vacuum jacket 12, as shown inFIG. 4B. The spacers 2D may be made as thin as possible to minimize heatconduction therethrough from the internal chamber 2C to the outersurfaces of the solar tiles 2. To facilitate solar irradiation, thespacers 2D may be coated with a reflective material so as to amplify theeffect of solar radiation. In alternative embodiment, as shown in FIG.4C, the spacers 2D may form one or more circular sections 2D′ (e.g.,concentric rings).

Alternatively or additionally, the solar tile 2 may include a structuralreinforcement on at least two sides of the solar tile 2. For example,the structural reinforcement may be provided by the structure of theinlets and/or outlets 2F of the internal chamber 2C. While they providehydraulic paths of the fluid to enter and/or exit the solar tile 2, theinlets and/or outlets 2F may provide a fixed spacing in the vacuumjacket 12 and thereby distribute the load on the sides of the solar tile2, which may prevent buckling or bending of the solar tile 2.

As shown in FIGS. 4B, 4C, and 4D, the solar tile 2 may have inlets andoutlets 2F that may be arranged symmetrically with respect to oneanother. For example, each side of the solar tile 2 may have one or moreinlets and/or outlets. This configuration may facilitate interconnectionbetween the tiles, as will be described further herein. Of course, theinlet and/or outlet may be disposed on only one side or two adjacent oropposite sides. It should be understood that any other arrangement,including non-symmetrical arrangement, may also be possible.

As mentioned above, the solar tiles 2 may be connected to the reservoir1 and the depression chamber 4, either individually or in one or moregroups. For example, each solar tile 2 may be individually connected tothe reservoir 1 and the condensation chamber 4. While the hydraulicconnection may be complicated, this arrangement may enable each solartile 2 to operate independently of the other. Alternatively, the solartiles 2 may be connected to the reservoir 1 and the depression chamber 4in one or more groups. For example, as shown in FIG. 6A, the solar tiles2 may be connected in series by utilizing hydraulic joints 2G and plugs2H. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 6B, a plurality of the solar tiles 2may be connected in parallel (e.g., in groups of three). It should beappreciated that by appropriately closing and opening the inlets andoutlets 2F with plugs 2H and hydraulic joints 2G, respectively, thesolar tiles 2 may be interconnected in a variety of differentconfigurations (e.g., parallel, serial, or series-parallel combination)with as many additional solar tiles 2 as desired (e.g., to cover a largesurface).

The hydraulic joint 2G may be a simple hydraulic connector, and mayinclude a snap-coupling mechanism for quick connection. The hydraulicjoint 2G may include a valve, such as, for example, a thermostatic valveor a check valve that may automatically actuate depending on thetemperature and/or pressure inside the solar tile 2. To minimize heatlosses through the plug 2H, the plug 2H may be a hollow tube with bothends closed. Preferably, the hollow space within the tube may bemaintained in a vacuum condition.

When multiple solar tiles 2 are installed side-by-side on a surfaceexposed to the sun, joining strips 2J may be placed between the solartiles 2 to prevent water or other environmental debris from accumulatingtherebetween. The joining strips 2J may also be used as a fixturemechanism for securing the solar tiles 2 to the surface S upon whichthey are installed. For example, as shown in FIG. 4E, suitable fasteners(e.g., nails, pins, staples, etc.) may pass through the joining strips2J to secure the solar tiles 2 onto the desired surface S. In addition,the joining strips 2J may provide further insulation of the hydraulicjoints 2G. In some exemplary embodiments, the surface S may be a roof ofa house or building or any vertically or horizontally extended surface.

According another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the top surfaceof the solar tile 2 may include extended flanges or flaps 2M, 2N thatmay extend, from one or more sides, beyond the planar dimension of thevacuum jacket 12 and the internal chamber 2C, as shown in FIGS. 4F and4G. The extended flanges 2M, 2N may provide functions similar to thoseof the strip joints 2J described above, including prevention of waterflow between the solar tiles 2. According to various exemplaryembodiments, the solar tile may have a variety of different geometricalshapes. By way of example only, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the solartile 2′ may have a cylindrical geometry.

In some exemplary embodiments, the solar tiles 2″ may be configured tobe heated by an external source of heat energy, other than the solarenergy, as shown in FIG. 6C. For example, the bottom portion of the tilemay be may be configured to receive heat from an external heat source,such as, for example, a combustion heat Q_(combustion). Thisconfiguration may be useful when the temporary weather condition doesnot permit continuous operation of the system.

Referring back to FIG. 2, the vapor (e.g., superheated steam) generatedinside the solar tiles 2 may flow into the depression chamber 4 througha hydraulic line 3A. The line 3A may include a valve 2B (e.g., a checkvalve) that may be configured to control the vapor condition (e.g.,degree of super-heating of the vapor) exiting from the solar tile 2 tothe depression chamber 4. For example, the valve 2B may be configured tocontrol the venting of the vapor from the solar tiles 2. The valve 2Bmay be automatically actuated when the temperature and/or pressureinside the solar tile 2 exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

The depression chamber 4 may be sufficiently strong so as to withstandvacuum or negative-pressure conditions. At least a portion of thechamber 4 may be coated to minimize thermal inertia. Similar to theinsulation provided for the solar tiles 2, the depression chamber 4 mayinclude a suitable insulation 14.

The vapor generated inside the solar tiles 2 may then fill thedepression chamber 4. The time it takes to fill the depression chambermay vary depending on a number of factors, including but not limited to,the volume of the internal volume 4A of the depression chamber 4, theintensity of solar heat, the amount of water flowing from the fluidreservoir 1, and the number and dimension of the solar tiles 2. Thedepression chamber 4 may include a relief valve 4C, preferably locatedin the upper portion of the chamber 4, to purge non-condensable gases(e.g., air) from the depression chamber 4 as the vapor fills thedepression chamber 4.

When the vapor is being accumulated inside the depression chamber 4, acertain amount of condensation may occur between the vapor and the wallsof the depression chamber 4. To drain the condensate water, the reliefvalve 1D in the fluid reservoir 1 may be opened to equalize the pressureinside the fluid reservoir 1 with the atmospheric pressure. Thecondensate water in the depression chamber 4 may then flow into thefluid reservoir 1 via the hydraulic line 1E. As briefly mentioned above,the drainage of such condensate water may preheat the water in the fluidreservoir 1.

When the depression chamber 4 is sufficiently filled with vapor, all thehydraulic connections connected to the depression chamber 4, includingthe relief valve 4C, may be closed to substantially seal the depressionchamber 4. After the depression chamber 4 is substantially sealed, asmall amount of relatively cold water may be injected into thedepression chamber 4. For example, the valves 4E and 4F may be opened(with valves 4D and 4G closed) to permit a small amount of cold water inthe water injector tank 5 to flow into the depression chamber 4 viagravity.

The water in the water injector tank 5 may be sprayed inside thedepression chamber 4. For example, the water may form a jet ofcontinuous water 5A designed to create a film of water with as largesurface-to-volume ratio as possible. Upon contact with the films ofwater, the vapor rapidly condenses and may cause a rapid and progressivedepressurization (e.g., in a chain-reaction-like manner) inside thedepression chamber 4. When a predetermined depressurization is achieved,the valve 4F may be closed to prevent any unnecessary withdrawal ofwater from the water injector tank 5.

An exemplary depressurization process may be represented as the process2→3 in the T-S diagram shown in FIG. 3. The dashed line indicates athermodynamically irreversible process in which the vapor in thedepression chamber 4 condenses while shifting from one isobaric line P1to another isobaric line P2 with P1>P2, where P2 may be a low-gradevacuum. When the condensation of the vapor inside the depression chamber4 is completed, the pressure inside the depression chamber 4 may beclose to a vacuum because the specific volume of the vapor has beenreduced significantly (e.g., ˜1/1000). At this point, the depressionchamber 4 may have a very low volume of water (i.e., of relatively hightemperature) at the bottom of the chamber 4, while the remaining volumeof the chamber 4 may be empty.

At this stage, the water injector tank 5 may be replenished. Forexample, by using the low-pressure condition inside the chamber 4, thevalves 4D and 4G may be briefly opened to lift water to be displacedfrom R into the injector tank 5 and to rapidly reset the water level toa level prior to the injection of the water into the depression chamber4. To avoid mixing of non-condensable gases inside the depressionchamber 4, a flexible partition 5B may be positioned inside the tank 5.If the volume of the depression chamber 4 is much greater than thevolume of the water injector tank 5, the increase in pressure (fromlow-vacuum levels) due to the replenishing of the water injector tank 5may be negligible.

During the above-discussed depression and displacement stages, the solartiles 2 continues to generate vapor and, depending on the time it takesto complete the depressurization cycle, the system may have one or moreadditional depression chambers 4. For example, when the valve 4B isclosed for the depressurization cycle, the vapor generated inside thesolar tiles 2 may be diverted to one or more additional depressionchambers 4 via a hydraulic branch 3B and a valve 3C. An exemplaryembodiment illustrating a possibility of having multiple depressionchambers 4 is shown in FIG. 7. Having additional depression chambers 4may also prevent over-pressurization of the solar tiles 2.

The depression pressure inside the depression chamber 4 may be utilizedin a variety of different ways. For example, according to an exemplaryembodiment of the invention, the depression pressure may be used to liftor pump water from a reservoir R located at a lower elevation (e.g.,Z₁-Z₀) against gravity by opening a valve 4H positioned on a hydraulicpath 6 between the depression chamber 4 and the reservoir R. When thevalve 4H is opened, the significant pressure difference between thedepression chamber 4 and the reservoir R may cause the water in thereservoir R to be displaced into the depression chamber 4. Alternativelyor additionally, instead of displacing the water into the depressionchamber 4, the water (or any other fluid in the reservoir R) may bediverted to any other location by using a suitable diversion mechanism.

The displaced water at elevation Z₁ may be simply released for, forexample, irrigation purposes, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6C. To release thewater collected inside the depression chamber 4, a valve 4C (see FIG. 2)may be opened to vent the depression chamber 4 to the atmosphericpressure, and a valve 4I may be opened to permit the water to flowthrough a hydraulic line 4J. Prior to letting all the water to evacuate,the water level inside the fluid reservoir 1 may be restored by openingthe valve 1C.

This displacement process may be represented in the T-S diagram of FIG.3 as process 3→3′, during which the pressure inside the depressionchamber 4 may start to increase from the low-level vacuum conditionwhile relatively cold water is flowing inside the depression chamber 4from the reservoir R, thereby possibly decreasing the temperature(assuming the water in reservoir R is at a lower temperature). At point3, of the T-S diagram the vapor reaches a thermodynamic equilibrium witha relatively high temperature (possibly higher than process 1) and at anear vacuum pressure P2. Point 3′ represents a final equilibrium statein which the pressure inside the depression chamber 4 has increased(although still below P1). As shown in FIG. 3, points 1 and 3′ may be ondifferent isobaric lines (normally overlapping in the sub-cooled regionof the T-S diagram). As the water is displaced from the reservoir R intothe depression chamber 4, the pressure inside the depression chamber 4may increase to an equilibrium pressure P_(E) in which no more water maybe lifted through the hydraulic path 6.

As shown in FIG. 2, a check valve 6C may be positioned in the hydraulicpath 6 to trap a certain amount of water at elevation Z₁ inside thedepression chamber 4. Inside the depression chamber 4, this amount ofwater has acquired potential energy as its elevation has changed and thedepression chamber 4 may be seen as a new reservoir of water for anotherdepression chamber 4 located at a new elevation (e.g. approximatelytwice as high) say elevation Z₁ with respect to the reservoir R and soon with as many depression chambers 4 as desired.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the solarpump system may include a plurality of condensation chambers 4A-1, 4A-2. . . 4A-n, as shown in FIG. 7. One or more solar tiles 2 may providesuperheated vapor to those depression chambers 4A-1, 4A-2 . . . 4A-n,each of which may operate in the same manner described above withreference to FIGS. 1-3. While the solar tiles 2 may all be located atthe same elevation, each depression chamber 4A-1, 4A-2 . . . 4A-n may beequipped with a dedicated solar tile 2 to increase efficiency and therate of vapor production.

The elevational distance between the stations is dictated by thetemperature inside the depression chambers 4A-1 . . . n, and the vaporpressure of the working fluid. By considering water again as the workingfluid as represented in FIG. 7, a certain amount of water, mainlylimited by the volumes of the depression chambers 4A-1 may be ultimatelyfound at elevation Z_(n) thereby forming a water body R′. From here thepotential energy acquired by water body R′ may be converted into usableenergy by means of a turbine 10′ and an alternator 11′. The waterexiting turbine 11′may or may not be collected back into the waterreservoir R so as to minimize water losses (e.g. if R is represented bya lake).

Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled inthe art from consideration of the specification and practice of theinvention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification andexamples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spiritof the invention being indicated by the following claims.

1. A jacketed solar radiation tile with multiple inlets and outletscomprising: a first surface for transmission of solar radiation andconfigured to seal connection of multiple solar radiation tiles; asecond surface separated from the first surface and configured to absorbsolar radiation transmitted through the first surface; a third surfacereflective to solar radiation; a first chamber thermally coupled bymeans of conductive heat transfer with the second surface and configuredto sustain pressurization of a fluid; a second chamber forming a jacketbetween the first chamber and the first surface and configured tothermally de-couple the first chamber from the second chamber; a seriesof spacers positioned within the second chamber configured to providestructural support to the first surface, the second surface, and thefirst chamber; a series of hydraulic inlets and outlets for theconnection of the first chamber through the second chamber andconfigured to be connected through hydraulic joints or hydraulic andthermally insulating plugs.